Ardyth Kenner

Minot

Ardyth Elaine (Rued) Kenner, of Minot, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2026.

Ardy was born on June 10, 1935, and was raised in the Oberon and Minnewaukan areas. After graduating from high school in 1953, she attended Minot State Teachers College (MSU), earning her degree in 1956. As a young adult she taught at Ben Franklin Junior High School in Fargo for three years prior to returning to Minot. She is fondly remembered as a dedicated English teacher at Minot High School until 1963. For decades, she was frequently stopped in local shops by former students who wanted to thank her for the encouragement and guidance she provided during their formative years.

Ardy was married to her beloved husband, Harris P. Kenner, for over 52 years, until his passing in 2012. They settled in Minot and adopted their daughter, Jeanine, in 1963. Together they built a law practice and family home centered on the values of education, community, and philanthropy. Ardy worked closely with the Scandinavian Heritage Association and Norsk Høstfest, and she served on the Boards of Directors for the Minot State University Foundation, First Lutheran Church Foundation, and the Minot Area Community Foundation. She and Harris were also active in the Minot Chamber of Commerce, ND Bar Association, State Historical Society of North Dakota, North Dakota State Republican Party, Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, Prairie Learning/Recovery Center, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, VFW Auxiliary, several University of North Dakota organizations, and various other community, conservation, and political organizations.

Ardyth Kenner

Ardy was a woman of dignity, refinement, and an iron will; She loved reading, sewing, knitting, card games, gardening, music, dancing, shopping, boating, and she was a phenomenal cook. Harris and Ardy also had the rare honor of hosting dinner for Princess Astrid of Norway in 1983. There were many cherished summers spent out on Lake Sakakawea, many family Holidays spent playing Pinochle, and they were able to do a lot of traveling over the years. As Harris neared retirement, they started splitting their time between ND and AZ, and they really enjoyed the extra time visiting family and friends.

Ardyth is preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Emma (Olson) Rued, her husband Harris, and her daughter Jeanine, who passed in 2016. She is survived by her granddaughter: Briane, great-granddaughter: Siena, her sister-in-law: Geraldine Rice, and a large extended family of nieces and nephews, as well as many friends, classmates, and former students.

The family extends their deepest gratitude to the staff at Somerset Court and Trinity Homes, and to Nurse Geri, Nurse Catherine, and Pam Hopkins for their exceptional care and compassion.

Celebration of the Life of Ardyth Kenner: Friday, April 10, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Minot. A livestream may also be viewed using the link on the website obituary.

Interment will follow the service at Rosehill Memorial Park in Minot.

Visitation: Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Thomas Family Funeral Home in Minot.

Memorials: Minot State University Foundation, First Lutheran Church Foundation, or the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation.

Memories and condolences may also be shared at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com

Published by The Minot Daily News, April 4, 2026.